Mystery???

[guilld]

This is not T but it has a T engine 350 small block. I just installed a new 350 in my daily driver 58 chevy truck.
I put all new parts on the crate engine carb, alt, etc.

Went down this morning hit the key nothing. The starter (hi torque Summit Mini Starter) made no sound. This is what I have done.
1. Replaced the ignition sw
2. Checked the connections at the sw for power all good.
3. Checked the connections at the starter for 12 volts all good. The (purple wire) from the ignition has power when you turn the key to start and the bat cable has power (all 12.4 volts).
4. Used a jumper cable to put another ground on the starter.

Now here is the mystery. Pulled the starter and hooked it direct to the battery with jumper cable and it works like a champ. Hooked it back up to the wiring on the truck and nothing. Pulled it off again hooked up to battery and yep it works fine.

Any trouble shooting thoughts?

 

[EX JUNK]

Have you tried "jumping" the starter? By that I mean, have the ignition switch on and place a wire on the battery cable terminal on the starter and then touch the other end of the wire on the S terminal on the starter. If it starts, then you have either a bad ignition switch or neutral start switch.

Jim

 

[RPM]

A bad starter solenoid will do that.

 

[Mike J]

neautral safety switch?

 

[PotvinGuy]

Now...wait a minute. Guilld, you say the purple wire has power with key turn. And the purple wire goes to the S terminal on the starter, right? And you pulled the starter out, gave it battery and ground and hit the S terminal with battery and the starter engaged the Bendix and cranked? And the starter in the car makes no sound at all? No clicking, no buzz, no hum?

RSVP, because I am stumped.

 

[guilld]

The starter makes no sound or movement when bolted in. The purple wire is the one that runs from ignition to neutral sw and then to starter. When you turn the ignition on and over to start this wire has the 12 volts required to activate the Bendix but nothing. There is also 12v plus where the battery cable hooks but nothing. Take the starter off lay it on the floor, hook up with jumper cables hot to the battery lead on the starter, ground the starter, use a wire to jump from battery lead on the starter to where the purple ignition wire hooks and bingo the starter works, spins and Bendix engages pushes the starter gear out. ??????????

 

[Neshkoro]

Check the ground cable. Had that same thing happen to me once. I bought a new starter. Installed it and same problem. The old and new starter both worked on the bench but not in the car. Turned out it was a bad ground from the battery to the engine block.

 

[T-Test]

Go to Advance/O'Riellys and buy a braided ground strap about 12" long. Bolt on starter mount bolt and then to chassis/frame with a self threading bolt after you clean a [patch] for a proper ground. I also run a ground from the -Battery side to the frame this same way on my Bucket to insure proper grounding because of fiberglass body and electrical mounting.
Old trucks are famous for not grounding through the old frames. Some people run a negative ground wire from the battery to the starter, a strap to the frame. and then straps from the engine to the body. This way all is grounded back to the battery. British cars were famous for bad grounding and lots of problems were caused by this simple fix.

 

[guilld]

Mystery solved! (Maybe). I ran an extra ground wire to the starter while I was installing it again. While installing it I noticed the wire from the ignition slid on very easily. I took my pliers and squeezed it together just a little. Tried the starter and it worked fine. I took off the additional ground wire and still worked. I cannot believe all of that for a loose connection that did not appear loose to the naked eye. I think the ground is good. I have the battery grounded the tranny bolt and a strap from the same bolt to the frame. I guess time will tell. I do appreciate all the input. When I am stumped I really like the fact you can brain storm with lots of people on the forum. Thanks

 

[flmnwlf]

I had that same issue on my old ford bronco. Drov eme nuts for weeks

 

[Keeper]

I would still check the neutral safety switch.

What shifter are you using? I use the B&M floor shifter, I have to tap it to the left to trip the switch. Makes for another "anti-theft" device...lol I had mine all tore apart a couple of times before I figured out what it was.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Loose connections. Make you crazy. My Buick would die completely, sometimes on the freeway. Very disconcerting. All the connections looked good. I pulled on one of the battery terminals and it came off in my hand! The car had been in the garage for work and they had disconnected the battery. When reconnecting they cross-threaded the bolt so the terminal seemed tight, but was just sitting on the battery.

 

[guilld]

At least so far it was not intermittent. It is better if it just flat out quits.